The Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, has appointed Haji Manara as the new spokesperson for Tanzania’s national teams in a move aimed at strengthening communication, visibility, and public engagement around the country’s sporting progress.
The appointment is intended to ensure that Tanzanians are well informed about developments in national sports teams while boosting national pride in the achievements of athletes representing the country.
In his new role, Manara will work under the National Sports Council, with responsibility to promote Team Tanzania, share updates, and amplify the stories of national teams locally and internationally.
Speaking on May 28, 2026, outside Parliament in Dodoma, Makonda said Manara will serve as a key voice of the national teams by communicating information on talent development, team performance, and achievements at regional and international competitions.
He said Tanzania is home to a wide pool of talented young athletes drawn from different regions, including Mbeya, Arusha, Dodoma, Mtwara, Ruvuma, and Mwanza, but their efforts have not always received sufficient recognition or public attention.
“Many people tend to focus more on foreign teams while overlooking our national teams, yet our teams have been performing well and qualifying for major competitions.
In many cases, people are not fully aware of the individuals behind achievements such as those of the Tanzanite Queens U20 and the Serengeti Boys U17.
Manara will help communicate these successes and ensure the public remains informed about the progress of our national teams,” Makonda said.
He added that the appointment is also part of the government’s broader efforts to support investment in the sports sector under the leadership of Samia Suluhu Hassan, aimed at nurturing young talent and inspiring youth to pursue sports careers, including long-term ambitions such as qualifying for the 2040 FIFA World Cup.
Makonda emphasized that strengthening communication around sports development is key to building a stronger sporting culture in Tanzania, increasing public engagement, and motivating young people to participate in national development through sports.
Manara, a well-known sports communicator and public figure, is expected to assume the role immediately, working closely with relevant sports authorities to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent dissemination of information regarding national teams’ activities, performances, and milestones.
